Description
Homemade cherry yum-yum brings sweet nostalgia with layers of creamy pudding and crumbly graham cracker crust. Midwestern dessert perfection awaits when you crave something simple yet irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 containers (8 ounces each) whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups (1/4 full-size crackers) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup salted sweet cream butter, melted and cooled
Sweetening and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans (for garnish)
Instructions
- Create a buttery, nutty foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs, chopped pecans, and sugar with melted butter until thoroughly integrated.
- Transfer the crumbly mixture into a 9×13 baking dish, pressing firmly to form an even base.
- Bake the crust at 350°F for 8 minutes, allowing it to develop a golden, crisp texture.
- Let the crust cool completely to room temperature, ensuring a stable foundation for subsequent layers.
- Whip softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Gently fold in one container of whipped topping, creating a luscious, airy filling.
- Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture in an even layer across the cooled crust.
- Generously distribute cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Top the cherry layer with the remaining whipped topping, creating an elegant, smooth surface.
- Sprinkle finely chopped pecans over the top for added crunch and visual appeal.
- Refrigerate the dessert, covered, for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and set.
- Slice into precise squares when thoroughly chilled and serve immediately for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for celiac-friendly version.
- Toast pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the crust.
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese and light whipped topping to create a lighter, lower-calorie dessert without compromising taste.
- Experiment with different fruit fillings like blueberry, strawberry, or mixed berry for seasonal variations and unique flavor combinations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 182 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg